“The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction,” December, 1970. Robot cover by Mel Hunter.
The illustration captures the feeling of isolation and perseverance. The robot sits in a broken boat on a barren, reddish landscape, with a full moon or other celestial body visible in the sky. The scene evokes a sense of being stranded in a desolate place, which fits well with a phrase I often repeated as an impatient youth, “I’m going nowhere fast, like rowing a boat in an ocean of sand.”
Mel Hunter documented the robot’s experiences on no less than sixteen covers of F&SF magazine, beginning with the October 1955 issue, and ending with the May, 2003 issue of the magazine. These covers depict the lone robot in various settings and guises, symbolizing the remnants of humanity after a cataclysmic event. The haunting imagery captured the imagination of many readers over the years.
Hunter's work on these covers earned him recognition and accolades, including the Hugo Award for Best Professional Artist in 1960-1962 and the Locus Award for Best Magazine Artist in 1972. The last man robot remains a memorable and influential piece in the history of science fiction art.
“The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction,” December, 1970. Robot cover by Mel Hunter.
The illustration captures the feeling of isolation and perseverance. The robot sits in a broken boat on a barren, reddish landscape, with a full moon or other celestial body visible in the sky. The scene evokes a sense of being stranded in a desolate place, which fits well with a phrase I often repeated as an impatient youth, “I’m going nowhere fast, like rowing a boat in an ocean of sand.”
Mel Hunter documented the robot’s experiences on no less than sixteen covers of F&SF magazine, beginning with the October 1955 issue, and ending with the May, 2003 issue of the magazine. These covers depict the lone robot in various settings and guises, symbolizing the remnants of humanity after a cataclysmic event. The haunting imagery captured the imagination of many readers over the years.
Hunter's work on these covers earned him recognition and accolades, including the Hugo Award for Best Professional Artist in 1960-1962 and the Locus Award for Best Magazine Artist in 1972. The last man robot remains a memorable and influential piece in the history of science fiction art.